The 2009 season ended on a high note for the Cougars, as they came into the Las Vegas Bowl with a 10-2 record and a No. 14 national ranking. Despite losses to Florida State and TCU earlier in the year, Max Hall and the Cougars were firing on all cylinders against No. 18 Oregon State, Bronco Mendenhall's alma mater.

Hall threw three touchdown passes in his final game as a Cougar, Harvey Unga added 71 rushing yards and a touchdown, and the BYU defense forced three turnovers.